July 26, 2016 at
7:00 AM

7/26 Cup of Coffee: The rain was a big asset to the affiliates on Monday, as two rain-shortened games ended in victories. Christian Vazquez broke out of a mini slump to lead the PawSox, and Andrew Benintendi hit another triple for the Sea Dogs. Led by Jordan Procyshen (pictured), Salem came back to beat the Nationals, and Lorenzo Cedrola continued his hot streak in the GCL.

A 12-hit attack led the PawSox past the Red Wings. Justin Haley got the start and went the first six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out five. Chandler Shepherd tossed two scoreless innings before allowing one run on two hits in the ninth, and Pat Light came on to strikeout the final two batters to end the game.

The PawSox were led on offense by Christian Vazquez, who went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Vazquez entered the day batting just .167 in 42 at-bats since being sent down to Pawtucket, with 11 strikeouts and only one walk. Rusney Castillo also added a double, and that was only his second extra-base hit in his last 65 at-bats. Chris Marrero went 2 for 4 with two runs driven in, and Brennan Boesch and Jantzen Witte each added two singles. After getting out to a hot start, Witte has been mired in a slump for most of the last two months, but he now has multiple hits in four of his last six games.

-----

Portland Sea Dogs 5, Trenton Thunder (NYY) 2 (7 innings)
The Sea Dogs came out on top in a rain-shortened contest. Kevin McAvoy ended up pitching a complete game, going all seven innings while allowing two runs on two hits while walking two and striking out four. His sinker was working all night, as he induced 12 ground outs.

Andrew Benintendi came through with the biggest hit of the game, lacing a two-run triple in the third. Benintendi now has 12 triples on the season, which leads professional baseball. Rainel Rosario reached base three times via two hits and a walk, and Yoan Moncada added a single but also committed a throwing error.

-----

Salem Red Sox 7, Potomac Nationals (WAS) 4
A ninth-inning rally propelled Salem past Potomac. Trey Ball allowed only one run but could not make it out of the fifth, as he threw 97 pitches in only 4 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out two while surrendering six hits. Anyelo Leclerc was not able to keep the Nationals at bay, as he was roughed up for three runs in only 2/3 of an inning. Jorge Marban followed with three scoreless innings to keep the Red Sox in the game, and Simon Mercedes closed it out with a scoreless ninth by striking out the side.

Entering the ninth down by one run, Salem's bats erupted for four runs on five hits. Mike Meyers tied the game with an RBI double, and Danny Mars put Salem ahead with a single. Jordan Procyshen, who finished the day 4 for 5 with a double and a home run, tacked on an insurance run with an RBI single. Meyers had three hits, Rafael Devers went 2 for 5, and Deiner Lopez went 2 for 4 with a walk and an RBI.

A complete game from Dedgar Jimenez was not enough as the Drive were beat by the Tourists. Jimenez was quite efficient, getting through eight innings on only 88 pitches. He allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out four. The Drive pushed their only run across in the ninth, when Jeremy Rivera singled and came around to score on a single from Luis Alexander Basabe. Michael Chavis, Austin Rei, and Roldani Baldwin all added singles as Greenville was held to five hits on the evening.

-----

Lowell's game in West Virginia was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader today starting at 5:05 pm.

A six-run ninth inning put this one out of reach, as the Rays pulled away for the victory. Hildemaro Requena struck out six over five innings of three-run ball, allowing nine hits as he fell to 0-2. Nicolo Clemente fell apart quickly, surrendering six runs on six hits in the ninth as his ERA ballooned to 9.00.

The top of the order had plenty of success at the plate, but the bottom four hitters combined to go 2 for 15 with seven strikeouts. Stanley Espinal led the charge, going 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI, and Raiwinson Lameda and Lorenzo Cedrola each added a single and a double. Cedrola is now batting .438/.526/.594 over his last 32 at-bats with five doubles and three steals.

The Red Sox pulled off a tremendous comeback, scoring four in the ninth to beat the Athletics. Rayniel Adames started the game off on the wrong foot, walking the first two batters and uncorking a wild pitch before allowing a two-run single. He was pulled after recording only two outs and allowing three runs. The bullpen, led by Antonio Police, combined to throw 8 1/3 innings while allowing only one run on four hits.

Down by three in the ninth, Willis Figueroa hit a two-out two-run single to cut the deficit to one, and Kervin Suarez followed with an RBI single to tie it up. Suarez came around to score the go-ahead run on a throwing error, and Juan Florentino pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth to pick up his tenth save. Figueroa and Marino Campana each had two hits, with Campana adding a double.

The rain may have saved the Red Sox, as they held on for the one-run victory. Jose Zacarias allowed only an unearned run over four scoreless innings, and Ronald Gutierrez pitched a scoreless fifth before things got rocky in the sixth. He allowed a home run and two walks before a double cleared the bases and brought the game within a run. With only one out in the inning, the game was called due to rain, and that was what ultimately ended the rally. Juan Hernandez, Yeison Coca, and Pedro Castellanos all had two hits, and Everlouis Lozada added two RBI to lead the offense.

-----

Player of the Night: Jordan Procyshenwent 4 for 5 with a double and a home run for Salem, raising his average to .261. Procyshen has already been on the disabled list twice this year, and last night was the best power display of the season for the 23-year-old catcher. He entered the day with only five doubles and one home run in 114 at-bats, but he has still only played in 33 games as he tries to get into a rhythm after missing almost two months.